Canada’s economy generated 26,300 new jobs in January, but the unemployment rate edged up to 6.6% as more people were looking for work, Statistics Canada said today.

The January jobless rate was up a tenth of a percentage point from December. The job-creation numbers were in line with economists’ expectations.

The Canadian dollar opened at US87.07¢, down 0.21 of a cent.

Wall Street futures suggested a positive start for regular trading while oil prices eased. European indexes dropped in early action.

In Asia, Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 index shed 181.84 points, or 1.11%, to 16,257.83 points on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

In Hong Kong, the blue-chip Hang Seng index gained 12.52 points, or 0.08%, to 15,425.95.

After markets closed Thursday, isurance firm Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. reported a big fourth-quarter loss late Thursday, reversing a year-ago profit because of losses from hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma. The loss for the three months ended Dec. 31 was US$318.1 million, or US$18 per share, compared with a profit of US$5.1 million, or 16¢ per share for the same period last year.

Toronto stocks ended lower Thursday, after rallying during the day, as the falling energy sector dragged the market down.

The S&P/TSX composite index fell 25.82 points, or 0.22%, to 11,709.30, its lowest mark on the day, after reaching a high of 11,876.24 in earlier trading. It was the third-straight day of losses on the senior exchange.


Sun Life Financial reported its fourth-quarter profit increased more than 9% to $478 million. Sun Life gained 70¢, or 1.44%, to $49.22.

Manulife Financial also posted strong quarterly results. Manulife shares gained 90¢, or 1.29%, to $70.40.

Among individual stocks, Rogers Communications fell $2.69, or 5.51%, to $46.16, after the compnay reported a fourth-quarter loss that more than doubled.

The S&P/TSX Venture composite index finished up 35.01, or 1.38%, to 2,566.42.

In New York, good corporate earnings were offset somewhat by suggestions from a Federal Reserve chairman that the central bank might not be finished hiking rates.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 24.73 points, or 0.23%, to 10,883.35, off a session high of 10,952.27. The Nasdaq composite index fell 11.11 points, or 0.49%, to 2,255.87, while the S&P 500 dipped 1.87 points to 1,263.78.